Poet's Notes about The Poem

The number in the title refers to the chronological order of the first version unless the poem was omitted from the original list and rediscovered. Revised versions retain the initial number. Kindly request permission before copying. For previous versions entitled The Curtains Close and Curtains Close 21 April 1990 revised 2 September 2006 and 20 May 2008 see below.

A face, a place, run race, no traceto tear the veil that memorywithin a generation wetrash out of fashion, petty paceis torn, born, past, life-lines unlace, shot bolt shoot chute as historyitself, one day, may cease to be.What tears stream from lost cause, lost case, what subterfuges to replaceyouth's mirage, mirror brain drain. See pain's pane, bane [p]ages tsunami, paints vain complaints, return to base.When coup de grâce falls frozen tearsare all we thaw from washed out years.

(20 May 2008)

see below for initial version and also see acrostic version entitled Curtains written 1 May 2013

At last, too fast, the curtains close, lights dim, and sweepers clear awayice-cream containers as the dayslips silently where no-one knows.Of all life's battles little shows! What fond farewell will faintly spraylove's perfume on life's hearse to saya last adieu before it goes.Nostalgic tears on self's wind blowsto comfort inner fears that playround Man's existence, short our stay! Who guidance gives as Future's flowsengulf all in a tidal wave where memories are hard to save?